Carbonator and method of operation thereof

ABSTRACT

The carbonator system includes first and second beverage vessels with a heat exchanger operatively connected between the vessels with the output of the heat exchanger flowing to the second beverage vessel or receiver. Means provide for pressure flow of beverage to and through the heat exchanger and to the second beverage vessel, carbonation means are present for injection of CO2 gas under pressure into the beverage prior to its flow to the heat exchanger, and means are present to divert part of the output of beverage from the heat exchanger for return flow to the first beverage vessel. Control means are present to provide the carbonation gas to the system only when beverage is flowing to the second vessel, and in controlled proportion to the rate of flow.

nited States Patent Bruce G. Cupping Inventor Akron, Ohio Appl. No.838,845 Filed July 3, 1969 Patented Oct. 12, 1971 Assignee A-T-O, Inc.

Willoughby, Ohio CARBONATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF 10 Claims, 2Drawing Figs.

U.S.Cl 261/140 R, 26l/DIG. 7,261/151 Int. Cl 1301f 3/04 Field of Search261/140, 151,130,155,68,D1G.7

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 19 TO CONTROL PANEL PrimaryExaminer-Tim R. Miles AttorneyOldham & Oldham ABSTRACT: The carbonatorsystem includes first and second beverage vessels with a heat exchangeroperatively connected between the vessels with the output of the heatexchanger flowing to the second beverage vessel or receiver. Meansprovide for pressure flow of beverage to and through the heat exchangerand to the second beverage vessel, carbonation means are present forinjection of CO gas under pressure into the beverage prior to its flowto the heat exchanger, and means are present to divert part of theoutput of beverage from the heat exchanger for return flow to the firstbeverage vessel. Control means are present to provide the carbonationgas to the system only when beverage is flowing to the second vessel,and in controlled proportion to the rate of flow.

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ATTORNEYS,

CARBONATOR AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Ingeneral, the present invention relates to carbonation systems orapparatus, and especially to soft drink beverage carbonation systems.

Heretofore there have been various types of carbonation systems providedfor use in the soft drink industry, and most of such systems have beendirected to an apparatus for supplying carbonation gas to heat exchangerunits wherein the carbon dioxide gas used normally is absorbed in thebeverage while it is trickling between or over plates or similar meansin the heat exchanger unit provided. Also, the pressure exerted on thebeverage may vary in different portions of the system.

In prior carbonation systems, it has been difficult to control,accurately, the amount of carbonation gas absorbed by a liquid as it isbeing processed. Thus, in some carbonation systems, the degree ofcarbonation may be dependent upon the pressure or temperature setup inthe system, or by the length of time of exposure and it has beendifficult to maintain a uniformity of carbonation in the beverages beingprocessed under the variations in operating conditions and pressuresthat occur in previous types of carbonation system.

The general object of the present invention is to provide a novel andimproved carbonation system and apparatus wherein a constant amount ofcarbonation gas per unit volume of beverage can be injected into thebeverage regardless of the system pressure.

Another object of the invention is to provide a constant rate ofbeverage product flow to a final receiving vessel for the beverage inthe system, and to provide for injection of carbon dioxide gas into thebeverage only when there is some product flow to the final receivingvessel in the system.

Other objects of the invention include the provision of a novel andimproved carbonation system which is readily controllable to set upsuitable operating conditions therein from the start of the system; toprovide a first and a final beveragereceiving vessel in the carbonationsystem wherein the pressure on the beverage is equalized in said twobeverage-receiving or storing vessels; to provide for a positive rate ofinjection of a carbonation gas into a beverage independent of thepressure to which the beverage is subjected to during other processingoperations; to provide for diversion of a portion of the beverageflowing through a carbonation system for return flow through thecarbonation and heat exchanger means of the system to aid in temperaturecontrol and to aid in the complete carbonation action for the beveragebeing processed; to provide suitable means in a carbonation system forcirculation of beverage through the heat exchanger means while nobeverage is being withdrawn from the system; to simplify and improve thestarting of a carbonation system; to provide controlled operatingconditions therein; and to provide a carbonation system producing auniform carbonation of the discharged product.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the present inventionwill be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

Attention now is directed to the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 partly diagrammatically shows apparatus embodying the principlesof the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a partly diagrammatic detail of a control means in theapparatus.

When referring to corresponding members shown in the drawing andreferred to in the specification, corresponding numerals are used tofacilitate comparison therebetween.

IN VENTIVE DISCLOSURE The present invention, as one embodiment thereof,comprises first and second beverage-receiving vessels with a heatexchanger operatively connected to and between the vessels so that theoutput of the heat exchanger flows to the second beverage vessel, meansfor pressure flow of beverage to and through the heat exchanger to thesecond beverage vessel, carbonation means for injection of CO, gas underpressure into the beverage prior to its flow to the heat exchanger,means for diverting part of the output of the beverage from the heatexchanger to the first beverage vessel, said vessels being connectedtogether for equalizing pressure therein, and control means for supplyof CO gas to the carbonation means only when beverage is flowing to thesecond vessel.

Reference now is particularly made to the details of the structure shownin the drawings. A carbonation system or apparatus is indicated as awhole by the numeral 10. It includes a first beverage-receiving vesselor tank 11, a heat exchanger 12, and a second beverage-receiving anddispensing means or vessel 13. The beverage to be processed isintroduced into the system by a beverage supply line or conduit 14 whichnormally extends from or connects to the proportioner in thebeverageprocessing apparatus to which the carbonation system orapparatus 10 is connected. The beverage flows through a check valve 15in theline 14 with the beverage flowing to and through an input line 16that extends into the first beverage tank 11 and usually discharges thebeverage adjacent the bottom ofthe tank 11.

Beverage discharged from the tank 11 flows out through a line 18 towhich a suitable driven pump 19 connects for pressure flow of beveragein the system, and to provide for movement of the beverage undersuitable operating pressures to and through the heat exchanger 12 toother portions of the carbonation apparatus 10. A conventional drivemotor 20 connects to the pump 19.

A control panel indicated as a whole by the numeral 21 is provided forthe carbonation apparatus and substantially conventional controlfunctions are provided thereby in the apparatus of the invention. Leads22, or equivalent, connect from the control panel 21 to the motor 20 tosupply power thereto so that the motor 20 is only driven when beverageis flowing through the carbonation apparatus 10 and being dischargedfrom the vessel 13 or when such vessel is not full and beverage willflow thereto. From the pump 19, a line 23 carries the beverage to andthrough a carbonation injection means or unit indicated as a whole bythe numeral 24, which usually is an enlarged section, or chamber in theline 23 into which an injection nozzle extends.

A carbonation supply tube or line 25 is provided and it connects to anysuitable source of carbonation gas, usually carbon dioxide, and whichsupply source is not shown in the drawing, with flow through the line 25being controlled by a shutoff valve 26. When the system is to operate,naturally the valve 26 is open, and then flow through the line 25 iscontrolled by a solenoid-actuated control valve 27 which has a lead orleads 28 connecting thereto from the control panel for opening suchvalve under predetermined operating. conditions, as hereinafterexplained in more detail. From the control valve 27, carbon dioxide gasflows to a compound differential pressure control valve indicated as awhole by the numeral 30. This valve 30 is shown and described in detailin my copending US. Pat. application Ser. No. 664,010, filed Aug. 29,I967 now abandoned. The differential control valve 30 has compressedgas, usually air, supplied thereto through a suitable line or tube 31connecting to the control panel 21 to provide a controllable pressureand supply of compressed gas to the valve 30 to one face of adifferential pressure diaphragm in the valve. The carbon dioxide supplyline 25 connects to the opposite side of the differential pressurediaphragm in such valve 30 whereby carbon dioxide is only passed throughthe valve 30 when its pressure exceeds the pressure of the control gassupplied through the tube 31 plus the beverage pressure (from apressure-transmitting line 32). Carbon dioxide gas, when' properoperating conditions are established in the differential pressurecontrol valve 20, then flows therefrom through a line or conduit 33 tothe carbonation means 24. Such carbonation means, in general, comprisesan injection unit (not shown) except for the general diagrammaticrepresentation in the drawing so that carbon dioxide gas is injectedinto the beverage being processed under a predetermined controllable,arbitrary differential pressure between the pressure existing on thebeverage being processed prior to carbonation thereof, and the pressureon the carbpn dioxide gas, which differential pressure is entirelyindependent of the pressures existing in the carbonation apparatus forother processing of the beverage or flow of the beverage through thesystem.

The beverage next flows through a suitable check valve 45 and from suchvalve through a line 46 connecting to the input of the heat exchanger12.

The heat exchanger 12 is of conventional design and normally comprises aplurality of parallel plates having refrigerant flowing betweenalternate sets of the plates and adapted to have the beverage beingprocessed trickle or flow slowly over the surfaces of the plates havingrefrigerants on the opposite sides thereof whereby an efficient coolingaction is obtained on the beverage as it slowly flows through the heatexchanger 12. Any suitable source of refrigerant means connects to theheat exchanger 12 for supply of refrigerant thereto as required tomaintain the heat exchanger at a predetermined temperature, and anysuitable refrigerant such as a water-alcohol solution, can be used inthe heat exchanger.

In order to sense the temperature in the beverage being processed understarting conditions, a conventional temperature-sensing means 48 isprovided within and adjacent the bottom of the first beverage tank 11and connects to the control panel 21 by suitable lead or leads 49. Hencethe control panel and conventional means therein can provide for otheroperations in the apparatus of the invention when proper temperatureconditions have been established in the beverage being processed, ashereinafter later described in more detail.

A control valve 50 is provided in the refrigerant flow line and isoperatively connected to and controlled through suitable control meansin the control panel 21 by lead 51 for flow of refrigerant material tothe heat exchanger for maintaining suitable operating conditionstherein. Refrigerant is supplied from any conventional source by adriven pump 150 or the like connecting to such supply.

Output from the heat exchanger 12 flows through a line 60 which has aT-coupling 61 therein and a line 62 connecting back to the firstbeverage tank 11 extends from this coupling 61. Another flow line 63connects the coupling 61 to the second beverage tank 13. The variousbeverage flow lines are of proper sizes to aid in obtaining balancedflow. So as to control the amount of beverage flowing back to thebeverage tank 11 and to have substantially one-half of the beveragebeing processed returned to such beverage tank for further processing,preferably an orifice plate 64, or equivalent member, is suitablyconnected in the line 62 to control return flow of the beverage.

A suitably controlled stop valve 70 is provided in the line 63 and it iscontrolled, as by a control air pressure, or by electrical means if asolenoid-controlled valve is used, by leads or a line 71 coming from thecontrol panel 21. A diaphragm valve 75 also is provided in the line 63and it is controlled by a float 76 provided in the second beveragevessel 13 so that when the float 76 is down, the diaphragm valve 75 isopened and thus calls for, or permits beverage flow to the beveragevessel 13.

So as to equalize the pressure on the beverage being processed and orbeing stored in the vessels 11 and 13, an equalizer tube 80 connectsbetween the tops of the two members, and it nonnally has a control valve81 provided therein. By having equalized pressures in the two vessels,whenever a product is flowing to the vessel 13, the beverage will flowat a constant rate depending upon the resistance to flow of the variouspipes and other elements in the system. Since pressure changes in thesystem will effect equally the suction pressure and the dischargepressure of the pump 19, the pump will deliver at a constant rateregardless of the absolute pressure within the system. In other words,the pump need not be aware of changes in the absolute pressures existingin the system, but only of the hydraulic resistance to flow. Thisresistance is constant within a given system.

SYSTEM STARTUP CONDITIONS In starting the carbonation apparatus 10, thebeverage tank 11 is pumped full of beverage to be processed. Filling ofthe tank is terminated by means of a float 85 provided in such tank andwith the float 85 connecting to a float-controlled valve 86 which inturn is connected to the control panel 21 by lead 186 to terminate thefilling action when the float 85 is properly elevated in the tank. Thepressure-balancing valve 81 connects to the top of the vessel 11, ashereinafter described, and it permits air displaced by the incomingproduct to escape to prevent any excessive buildup of pressures in thetank or vessel. Then, with the stop valve 70 closed, the pump 19 isstarted to circulate the product through the then nonfunctioningcarbonation means 24 and to the heat exchanger 12 and back to thebeverage tank 11 through the line 62. Recirculation of this beveragecontinues until the temperature of the product in the beverage tank 11is reduced to approximately 38 to 40 F. When all beverage reaches suchtemperature, the temperature-sensing device 48 and controls connectedthereto, causes the system to automatically begin the next step in thestartup procedure.

The carbonation of the product in the beverage-receiving tank 11 isstarted when the sensing device 48 shows operating beverage temperatureto be suitable and opens the solenoidactuated valve 27 in the carbondioxide supply line 25 and permits CO to flow to the carbonation means24 through the differential pressure control valve 30. The pump 19continues to run and the stop valve 70 remains closed during such time.Since it is desired to carbonate the beverage in the beverage tank 1 1only to approximately the level reached during normal operation, whichis about one-half of the final carbonation level, the control circuitprovided by the panel 21 includes a timing device (not shown) whichlimits the duration of this carbonation phase of the startup procedure.The length of such startup carbonation phase is approximately 2 minutesin a typical operation at the end of which period the beverage tank 11is filled with a cooled, semicarbonated product as it would be duringnormal operation. Hence, the unit is now ready for productive operation.

SYSTEM OPERATION WHEN FULL BUT NO BEVERAGE DISCHARGED When thecarbonation apparatus 10 is full of beverage being processed, but nobeverage is being withdrawn from the beverage tank, then an additionalcirculatory system is provided to prevent any of the beverage fromfreezing in the heat exchanger. Thus, a T-coupling 90 is provided in theline 62 and it connects by a line 91 through a control valve 92 to asuitable pump 93 driven by an attached motor 94. Usually the pump 93 isrelatively small and low in capacity in relation to the pump 19. Thispump 93 connects back to the line 46 leading to the heat exchanger 12.Thus, when beverage output flow terminates in the system, suitablecontrol means represented by a lead 95 connecting to the control panelcan be used to start the motor 94, open the valve 92 by a lead or tube192 and circulate the beverage through the heat exchanger at a desirablerate to prevent any freezeup of the beverage being processed.

Conventional control means will shut off the motor 94 and close valve 92when the valve 75 is next opened for beverage flow.

REGULAR OPERATION Upon completion of the startup cycle describedhereinbefore, the timer provided in the control panel 21 opens theairoperated stop valve 70 so the beverage then flows into the then emptyvessel 13 as the float 76 is down and such float 76 operatively connectsto the valve 75 to open it and permit the flow of beverage to the tank13, as hereinafter described. Hence, as beverage is being circulatedthrough the system by the pump 19, approximately one-half of thebeverage being processed will flow through the line 63 into the vessel13 while substantially one-half of the beverage will return by the line62 to the initial beverage-receiving or storing tank 11 for recircu.lation in the system. The diaphragm pressure or gas pressure controlledvalve 75 is provided with an electrical switch 100 that connects to thecontrol panel by a lead 101 which connects through conventional means onthe control panel to control operation of the solenoid-actuatedcarbonation supply control valve 27 and open it when beverage is flowingto the beverage-receiving vessel 13. This permits carbon dioxide gastobe injected into the product stream by the carbonation means 24. Whenthis beverage-receiving vessel 13 is full and not requiring any flow ofproduct thereto, then the switch 100 associated with the control valve75 will be actuated through the float 76 to close the solenoid-actuatedvalve 27 and no carbon dioxide will be injected into the system undersuch condition. Naturally, the beverage flowing through the line or tube63 to the storage and discharge vessel 13 is fully carbonated so thatany of the product that is diverted through the tube 62 back to the tank11 serves to carbonate, partially, the incoming uncarbonated beverageconcurrently flowing into the tank 11. Likewise, the beverage flowing tothe beverage tank 11 through the return line 62 will be reduced to asuitable temperature, such as about 38 to 40 F. so that such processedbeverage likewise aids in cooling the incoming beverage and at leastpartially reduces its temperature to that approaching the desiredbeverage discharge temperature. Or, stated in another way, if thebeverage returned to the tank 11 is exactly one-half of that withdrawntherefrom through the pipe 18, the temperature of the beverage in thetank 1 1 will be at the midpoint between 38 to 40 F. and the temperatureof the incoming product.

Inasmuch as the object of the carbonation system of the invention is toinject a predetermined amount of carbon dioxide gas for each gallon ofproduct withdrawn from the system, it is necessary that the rate of flowof the product to the beverage-receiving vessel 13 must be constantwhenever such flow occurs, the carbonating gas must be injected onlywhen the product is'flowing to the vessel 13, and the rate of carbondioxide injection must be constant. As indicated hereinbefore, the rateof flow of the product to the beverage-receiving vessel 13 has been madeindependent of the system pressure as the flow rate is dependent uponthe pump capacity and the fixed hydraulic resistance in the system. Thecontrol for the carbonation means 25 is so regulated and actuated thatcarbon dioxide gas is injected at a constant rate only when beverage isflowing to the vessel 13. The pump 19 is independent of pressure changesin the system and it only has to overcome the resistance to hydraulicbeverage flow in the system which resistance is constant within thesystem of the invention. Such pump 19 is actuated and controlled so thatwhen the beverage vessel 13 is full, the valves 75and 70 are closed andthe pump 19 stops. it only restarts when the beverage vessel 13 againcalls for product.

When carbonating beverages, normally air is freed from such beverage.FIG. 2 diagrammatically shows a feature of the carbonation apparatus 10that will automatically bleed off air and/or gas from the system. Float76 is carried by an arm 170 which is pivotally supported at 171 andwhich has an extension section 172 extending to a control or bleed valve173. The control valve is provided in line 176 and has a control pin 174extending therefrom. The line or tube 176 connects the interior of thevessel 13 and the pressure therein to the pressure-controlled valve 70to control the same. When the float 76 is raised by beverage in thevessel 13, the extension section 172 releases the control pin 174 toopen valve 173 and bleed air and/or gas from the system and cause thepressure-controlled valve 75 to close. But when the float 76 is lowered,the control valve 173 is closed and the system pressure on the diaphragmof the valve 75 causes it to open for beverage flow.

It will be realized that the tanks 11 and 13 are suitably insulated inany known manner and usually these tanks and most of the connectinglines and pipes used in the system are made from stainless steel.

As the beverage is being circulated initially, a temperaturesensingdevice d8, which is operatively associated with the pipe 60 and isconnected to the control panel 21 by the lead 89, senses the temperatureof the beverage being circulated and such device controls the flow ofthe refrigerant to and through the heat exchanger 12 by the control lead51 connecting the valve 50 to the control panel whichcorrelatesmeasurements taken on the beverage being processed in different portionsof the system so as to control the systems startup and/or operatingconditions.

in the control panel 21, it will be realized that any conventional typeof timer and control means may be provided to operate the carbonationsystem in a manner described hereinabove. Thus, the various controlvalves in the apparatus can be solenoid actuated, be controlledpneumatically or electrically or can be otherwise actuated or controlledfrom the control panel in a conventional manner. For example, somerepresentative parts are shown in this control panel and may comprisepressure gages 110 and 111 and temperature gages 112 and 113. Precisiontypes of pressure regulators are indicated at 114 and 115. Variouscontrol switches are also provided in or on the control panel and areoperatively connected in the mechanism. Start and stop switches, etc.likewise can be provided on the control panel with the timer means,recorder means, air filter members and the like. Air pilot valves andsimilar means can be provided connected to the air-actuated valves inthe system with certain of such valves being indicated by the numerals116, 117 and 118. A nonretum valve 128 may be provided in theline-returning part of the processed beverage to the first beveragestoring tank ll 1. I

It should be noted that, as a practical consideration, it is necessarythat the pressure in the system be maintained at some level above thesaturation pressure for the gases dissolved in the carbonated product.For this purpose, the pressure balance valve 81 is provided in thepressure balance line which is supplied with controlled air pressurethrough a line or tube 82 connecting to the control panel to apply acontrolled air pressure to the system to maintain its pressure at thedesired level. This valve functions to add air to the system if thesystem pressure falls below the desired level and to bleed air or gasoff in the event that the system pressure exceeds the desired level (asmay occur during initial filling of the system with beverage).

In another embodiment of the invention, the filler bowl or tank of aknown bottle filler apparatus may take the place of the vessel 13 in thesystem. Such filler bowl or vessel will receive the product from thevalve 75. The float 76, bleed valve 173 and associated means naturallywould still be operably connected to the valve 75 to control it andproduct flow therethrough. Such filler bowl or vessel would likewiseconnect to the equalizing pipe 80 to maintain equal pressure with thatin the vessel 11. Considering the second beveragereceiving vessel 13broadly, it may be the rotatable filler bowl of the filler apparatus andbe filled to any desired level with the product.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the novel carbonation system ofthe invention is adapted to be started from an empty condition readilyand to set up, automatically, proper operating conditions therein. Thesystem is adapted to inject a constant amount of carbon dioxide into thebeverage being processed with each unit of beverage being processedreceiving uniform amounts of carbonation therein. The flow rate ofcarbonated product to the beverage vessel 13 is constant when any flowthereto occurs and carbon dioxide is injected into the beverage beingprocessed once operating conditions have been established only whenbeverage is being withdrawn from the system. Thus, it is believed thatthe objects of the invention have been achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosedherein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particularembodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing fromthe scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A beverage carbonation apparatus comprising a beverage vessel, a heatexchanger,

a second beverage vessel,

first means connecting said first beverage vessel to said heat exchangerfor beverage flow therebetween,

a pump connecting to said first means for pressure flow of beverage tosaid heat exchanger,

second means connecting the output of said heat exchanger to said meansoperatively connected to said first means 10 for injection of CO under acontrollable difi'erential pressure into the beverage,

said second beverage vessel for beverage flow thereto,

means connecting said vessels together to equalize the presl 5 suretherein, and

means controlling said pump to actuate it only when said second beveragevessel is not full of beverage to a desired level.

2. A beverage carbonation apparatus as in claim 1 and comprising meansfor diverting part of the output of said heat exchanger to said firstbeverage vessel, and

control means to supply CO, gas to said carbonation means only when saidpump is actuated and delivery of beverage is being made to said secondbeverage vessel.

3. A beverage-processing and carbonating apparatus as in claim 1 wheresaid second beverage vessel comprises a filler bowl of a bottlel-fillingapparatus.

4. A beverage carbonation apparatus as in claim 1 and where said secondmeans comprises prising a bleeder valve means operatively connecting tosaid control valve means and to said float means and receiving thevessel pressure to bleed gas therefrom when said second beverage vesselrequires more beverage therein.

6. A beverage carbonation apparatus comprising a first and a secondclosed beverage vessel,

a heat exchanger operatively connecting to said beverage vessels withthe output of said heat exchanger flowing to said second beveragevessel.

means for pressure flow of beverage to and through said heat exchangerto said second beverage vessel,

carbonation means for injection of CO, under pressure at a uniform rateinto the beverage prior to its flow to said heat exchanger,

means for diverting part of the output of beverage from said heatexchanger to said first beverage vessel and to maintain pressure thereonwhen in such vessel, and

control means to supply CO, gas to said carbonation means only whenbeverage is flowing to the second vessel.

7. A beverage carbonation apparatus as in claim 6 and comprising apressured closed circulatory system including said first and secondbeverage vessels and said heat exchanger, and

said carbonation means being constructed and operative to inject CO,under pressure into the beverage at a controllable pressure differentialindependent of the pressure in the system.

8. A beverage carbonation apparatus as in claim 7 and includingrecirculation means connected around said heat exchanger to recirculatebeverage therethrough when beverage is not flowing from said heatexchanger to said second beverage vessel.

9. A method of carbonating a beverage comprising the steps of providingfirst and second beverage storage areas with a carbonating means inseries with a cooling means connecting Such 4 maintaining uniformpressures on the beverage In the two storage areas provided therefor,forcing beverage to flow at a constant rate under a pressuredifferential through the carbonation and the cooling means to the secondstorage area, beverage being withdrawn at will from the second storagearea, and injecting CO, gas into the beverage at a constant rateindependent of said uniform pressures when and only when the beverageflows to the second storage area. 10. A method of carbonating a beverageas in claim 9 and including the step of bleeding gas from the secondstorage area when it is full of beverage.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. ,495Dated October 12, 1971 Inventor(s) Bruce G. Copping It is certified thaterror appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 7, Claim 1, cancel lines 9 and 10 and substitute thereforcarbonation means operatively connected to said first means Column 7,Claim 1, following line 12, insert second means connecting the output ofsaid heat exchanger to Column 7, Claim 3, line 28, after "bottle",delete "l" Signed and sealed this l th day of April 1972.

(SEAL) Aim/est:

EDWARD M.FLETGHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents USCOMM-DC 60376-969

2. A beverage carbonation apparatus as in claim 1 and comprising meansfor diverting part of the output of said heat exchanger to said firstbeverage vessel, and control means to supply CO2 gas to said carbonationmeans only when said pump is actuated and delivery of beverage is beingmade to said second beverage vessel.
 3. A beverage-processing andcarbonating apparatus as in claim 1 where said second beverage vesselcomprises a filler bowl of a bottle1-filling apparatus.
 4. A beveragecarbonation apparatus as in claim 1 and where said second meanscomprises float means operatively positioned in said second beveragevessel, and gAs pressure control valve means operatively connecting tosaid float means to control flow of beverage to said second beveragevessel when more beverage is required therein.
 5. A beverage carbonationapparatus as in claim 4 and comprising a bleeder valve means operativelyconnecting to said control valve means and to said float means andreceiving the vessel pressure to bleed gas therefrom when said secondbeverage vessel requires more beverage therein.
 6. A beveragecarbonation apparatus comprising a first and a second closed beveragevessel, a heat exchanger operatively connecting to said beverage vesselswith the output of said heat exchanger flowing to said second beveragevessel. means for pressure flow of beverage to and through said heatexchanger to said second beverage vessel, carbonation means forinjection of CO2 under pressure at a uniform rate into the beverageprior to its flow to said heat exchanger, means for diverting part ofthe output of beverage from said heat exchanger to said first beveragevessel and to maintain pressure thereon when in such vessel, and controlmeans to supply CO2 gas to said carbonation means only when beverage isflowing to the second vessel.
 7. A beverage carbonation apparatus as inclaim 6 and comprising a pressured closed circulatory system includingsaid first and second beverage vessels and said heat exchanger, and saidcarbonation means being constructed and operative to inject CO2 underpressure into the beverage at a controllable pressure differentialindependent of the pressure in the system.
 8. A beverage carbonationapparatus as in claim 7 and including recirculation means connectedaround said heat exchanger to recirculate beverage therethrough whenbeverage is not flowing from said heat exchanger to said second beveragevessel.
 9. A method of carbonating a beverage comprising the steps ofproviding first and second beverage storage areas with a carbonatingmeans in series with a cooling means connecting such areas, maintaininguniform pressures on the beverage in the two storage areas providedtherefor, forcing beverage to flow at a constant rate under a pressuredifferential through the carbonation and the cooling means to the secondstorage area, beverage being withdrawn at will from the second storagearea, and injecting CO2 gas into the beverage at a constant rateindependent of said uniform pressures when and only when the beverageflows to the second storage area.
 10. A method of carbonating a beverageas in claim 9 and including the step of bleeding gas from the secondstorage area when it is full of beverage.